Center Josh Mann is a critical component of ODU offense

The trigger man in Old Dominion's go-go offense has played the position since he was six and might have been born for the role. The Heinicke kid appears pretty comfortable out there, too.

Though quarterback Taylor Heinicke is the most visible person in ODU's offense, the play doesn't begin until center Josh Mann receives the signal from the sideline, calls out the blocking and protection scheme and snaps the ball.

"The quarterback, everything goes through him, but the center's next in charge," ODU offensive coordinator Brian Scott said. "We put a lot on our quarterback and we put a lot on our center, mentally, so the other guys can play fast."

Mann, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound sophomore from Virginia Beach, is the youngster on a veteran line that so far is clearing the way for the Monarchs to average 51 points and 536 yards per game.

ODU figures to match those gaudy numbers 6 p.m. Saturday against Campbell at S.B. Ballard Stadium before diving into the Colonial Athletic Association schedule next week.

"Our offense is predicated on a fast tempo, so there's a lot of responsibility on me," Mann said. "Center isn't the most glamorous position, but I've been playing there all my life and I grew to love it. I don't want to play any other position."

You might expect a little more imagination from an engaging Dean's List student in mechanical engineering, but there's a method to the madness.

When Mann showed up at the Courthouse Rec League in Virginia Beach as a youngster, his dad prompted him to play center. Brian Mann was an offensive lineman himself in high school and told his son that lineman, and center in particular, could be a ticket to playing time.

"It's kind of carried me all the way to college," Mann said. "It's a skill that I'm glad I acquired."

He was a four-year starter at center at Ocean Lakes High, growing from a 5-11, 215-pound freshman to a 6-3, 280-pound senior. He graduated with a 4.2 grade-point average and has followed that with a 3.85 GPA at Old Dominion.

"When we recruit, sometimes the biggest thing we look at is a center's GPA, what's the quarterback's GPA," Scott said. "Josh was a 4.0 student, with a billion on the SAT. We thought he was a great fit for our offense."

The center is responsible for calling out blocking schemes on runs and protection on pass plays, based on what he sees from the defense. ODU's no-huddle, up-tempo offense requires that the center do so even more quickly.

"He doesn't have the luxury of thinking about the play on the walk from the huddle to the line of scrimmage," head coach Bobby Wilder said.

Before a play, Mann stands over the ball and receives a signal from assistant coach Brad Watkins on the sideline. He quickly surveys the defense and within 2-5 seconds must call out the blocking and be ready to go, because the Monarchs are almost always in what they call "green" tempo — meaning they want to snap the ball as quickly as possible. Heinicke can override Mann's call, based on what he sees.

"That puts even more pressure on Josh," Wilder said. "We're not going at his pace, he's going at our pace. That's very hard for a center."

Said Mann, "It'd be nice to have a few extra seconds to see what the defense is doing, but we like a fast tempo. I understand the importance of that."

Mann's mind, thus far, is more nimble than his feet and hands.

"Mentally, he's got it down," Scott said. "Now, it's just a matter of getting a couple things, detail-wise, with his (blocking) technique to really put him over the top. Mentally, he gets it. We can sit there and he sees the same picture I'm seeing, which is the most important thing. He and the quarterback are on the same page. It's just a matter of cleaning up some details, which will come with experience."

Mann also got a head start and a bit of a tutorial last season as a true freshman, playing behind and occasionally alongside center Jeremy Hensley. The staff viewed him as Hensley's heir apparent and played him a bit at guard, and at center when Hensley was injured.

"He's probably the smartest player I've ever played with and probably the most aggressive," Mann said of Hensley. As for the early playing time, he said, "I'm not as wide-eyed as I was. I'm more comfortable in the routine. I kind of got all the jitters out of me."

Mann relishes the challenge of playing center in ODU's offense. He admits that he's not close to where he needs to be, in terms of defensive recognition or blocking skills. He anticipates being a part of what the Monarchs can accomplish, this season and beyond, from one of the best seats in the house.

"Growing up, I thought it might be cool to have your name called out for making a tackle or scoring a touchdown," Mann said. "But playing O-line is a pride position. Knowing you have to do your job in order for plays to work, being in the middle of it. And playing center's even better, having that responsibility and snapping the ball. I can't imagine playing anywhere else."